Pipe fitting tool

Abstract

A pipe fitting tool configured to loosen a first section of pipe with respect to a second section of pipe. The pipe fitting tool includes a motor, a reciprocating member that reciprocates in response to activation of the motor, a holdback assembly configured to clamp and hold the second section of pipe, and a loosening mechanism configured to clamp and rotate the first section of pipe with respect to the second section of pipe in response to a first linear motion of the reciprocating member, and to release the first section of pipe in response to a second linear motion of the reciprocating member, the second linear motion being in a direction opposite the first linear motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pipe fitting tool configured to loosen a first section of pipe with respect to a second section of pipe, the pipe fitting tool comprising:
 a motor; 
 a housing containing the motor; 
 a battery removably coupled to the housing, the battery configured to provide power to the motor; 
 a reciprocating member that reciprocates in response to activation of the motor; 
 a holdback assembly including holdback assembly jaws that are actuatable to move the holdback assembly jaws toward and away from each other to clamp and hold the second section of pipe; and 
 a loosening mechanism configured to
 clamp and rotate the first section of pipe with respect to the second section of pipe in response to a first linear motion of the reciprocating member, and 
 release the first section of pipe in response to a second linear motion of the reciprocating member, the second linear motion being in a direction opposite the first linear motion. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the holdback assembly jaws are a first pair of jaws, and wherein the loosening mechanism includes a second pair of jaws. 
     
     
       3. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 2 , wherein the holdback assembly is adjustably positioned relative to the loosening mechanism. 
     
     
       4. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the loosening mechanism includes a screw rotatably driven by the motor to clamp and rotate the first section of pipe. 
     
     
       5. A pipe fitting tool configured to loosen a first section of pipe with respect to a second section of pipe, the pipe fitting tool comprising:
 a motor; 
 a lead screw configured to rotate in response to receiving torque from the motor; 
 a carriage configured to move along the lead screw between a first position and a second position in response to rotation of the lead screw; 
 a holdback assembly configured to clamp and hold the second section of pipe; and 
 a jaw assembly configured to
 clamp and rotate the first section of pipe with respect to the second section of pipe in response to movement of the carriage from the first position to the second position, and 
 release the first section of pipe in response to movement of the carriage from the second position to the first position. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the holdback assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw. 
     
     
       7. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 6 , wherein the holdback assembly includes a handle, and wherein a spacing between the first jaw and the second jaw is decreased in response to movement of the handle to clamp and hold the second section of pipe. 
     
     
       8. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 7 , wherein the holdback assembly includes a drive shaft coupled to the handle and a pinion coupled for co-rotation with the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is configured to rotate in response to movement of the handle. 
     
     
       9. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 8 , wherein the holdback assembly includes a first rack gear meshed with the pinion and coupled to the first jaw and a second rack gear meshed with the pinion and coupled to the second jaw such that rotation of the pinion causes the first and second jaws to move in opposite directions. 
     
     
       10. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 5 , further comprising a removable battery configured to power the motor. 
     
     
       11. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the jaw assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and wherein the first jaw is biased toward the second jaw. 
     
     
       12. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the holdback assembly is adjustably positionable relative to the jaw assembly. 
     
     
       13. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 12 , wherein the holdback assembly includes a track to guide movement of the jaw assembly relative to the holdback assembly. 
     
     
       14. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 5 , further comprising a post extending parallel to the lead screw, wherein the carriage includes a sleeve slidable along the post to guide movement of the carriage. 
     
     
       15. The pipe fitting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the motor includes an output shaft extending parallel to the lead screw. 
     
     
       16. A method of loosening a first section of pipe with respect to a second section of pipe, the method comprising:
 positioning first and second jaws of a holdback assembly on opposite sides of the second section of pipe; 
 positioning third and fourth jaws of a drive assembly on opposite sides of the first section of pipe; 
 rotating a handle of the holdback assembly in a tightening direction to move the first and second jaws toward each other to clamp the second section of pipe between the first and second jaws; and 
 performing a loosening operation including
 activating a motor of the drive assembly in a loosening direction to cause the third and fourth jaws to clamp the first section of pipe between the third and fourth jaws; and 
 continuing to operate the motor in the loosening direction to cause the third and fourth jaws to rotate the first section of pipe relative to the second section of pipe. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising performing a resetting operation after the loosening operation, the resetting operation including reversing an operating direction of the motor to cause the third and fourth jaws to release the first section of pipe. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising repeating the loosening operation after the resetting operation. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein rotating the handle of the holdback assembly includes rotating a pinion meshed with a first rack coupled to the first jaw and a second rack coupled to the second jaw.